Washing machines



Jan. 6, 1959 w.- G. LANDWIER 2,867,105

WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 31, 1953 w M 1 6 w M M w 24 7 04 Y 6 m M. 4 2 7 w M WM 6% w 6 2 M B 2 M. w a 2, #0 W a J 3 W a, lI I I I I! 4 6 n02 M w 2 m 2 8 w [NVENTUR WILLIAM. G. Lzmnwmn IBY' g ATTCHENEY Jan. 6, 1959 w. G. LANDWIER 2,867,105

WASHING MACHINES- Filed March 31, 1953 2 sheets-sheet 2 62 8 E- g. 2. v

JNVENTUR WILLIAM E. LANDWIER ATTURNEY WASHING MACHINES William G.Landwier, Fayetteville, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to TheMurray Corporation of America, Detroit, Micln, a corporation of DelawareApplication March 31, 1953, Serial No. 345,889

13 Claims. (Cl. 6823) This invention relates to washing machines, andmore particularly to machines of the single tub vertical axis type inwhich washing agitation and centrifugal extraction is performed.

The present invention is further directed to a washer having an agitatoraction of the gyrating pulsating type, and in which the entire drivingmechanism and tub is mounted as an inverted pendulum, the drivingmechanism and entire casing therefor being adapted to rotate in unisonduring centrifugal extraction. Further, the gyrating and pulsatingagitator, being of the spiral blade type, results in a roll-over andcontinual annular redistribution movement of laundry subjected to theturbulence created.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear morefully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understoodthat the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and arenot designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an automatic washing machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the driving mechanism;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view taken from the line 44 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the overrunningclutch.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a frame which may be providedwith a lower casing wall 12, there being supported on the frame astationary tub having a side Wall 14 which may be square or round, suchtub having a bottom wall 16. The frame 10 has a transverse supportstructure 18 located somewhat above the bottom of the frame 10. Suchsupport structure forms the main central support for the mechanism andwash tub. The support structure 18 carries a central sleeve and thrustbearing 20 mounted within a resilient rubber mounting block 22 wherebythe sleeve hearing may have universal movement with respect to theframe. Journaled in the sleeve bearing 20 is a rotatable hollow columnstructure comprising a main member 24 and a cover plate 26. The mainmember 24 is provided with a journal 28 at its lower end, as well as athrust bearing 39, the journal 28 and thrust bearing 30 engaging thebearing sleeve 20. In the lower end of the hollow column are spacedtransverse walls 32 and 34, in which is coaxially journaled a driveshaft 36, such drive shaft projecting below the lower end of the column24 and having aflixed thereto a drive pulley 38. A motor suitablymounted in the frame 10 is provided with a pulley 42 having a belt drive44 to the drive pulley 38.

2,887,,l05 Patented Jan. 6, 1959 The central column at its upper endprojects throng a stationary collar 46, such collar having a bearingsleeve 48 and a thrust bearingStl engaging a journal surface 52 andthrust bearing surface 54 on the central column. The upper end of thecolumn 24 projects into the upper flared portion 56 of the collar 46 andis threadedly secured to an annular fitting 58 as at 59, such fittinghaving a shoulder 60 to receive the bottom 62 of the tub 64, the tubbottom being clamped in place upon the shoulder by a lock nut 66threaded on the member 58 as at 68. V

The bottom 16 of the tub 14 is provided with an inner annular flange 70providing a large aperture through which the column 24 may extend, theflange 70 being bounded therearound by. a substantially sphericalsurface 72, the center of which coincides approximately with the centerof the universal-movement of the bearing sleeve 2%) within the resilientblock 22. Slidably mounted upon the collar 46 is an annular member 74having generally spherical contour, such member extending in overlappingrelation to the spherical surface 72 of the tub bottom 16. The member 74is provided with an annular friction ring 76 adapted to engage the undersurface of the spherical area'72 so as to frictionally ride against suchsurface. The member 74, being slidably mounted upon the collar 46, isurged upwardly on said collar by a compression spring 7 8, such springbeing located over the down-turned sleeve 80 with its lower end bearingagainst a thrust ring 82.

The annular flange 70 of the tub bottom 16 is provided with three ormore uniformly spaced cars 84 extending inwardly toward the collar 46.The collar 46 is provided with similar ears 86 corresponding in numberand similarly angularly spaced. The cars 74 and 86 are provided withapertures 88 and 90 to receive tension springs 92 which act toresiliently hold the sleeve 46 in a centered position, so that thebearing sleeve 48 is normally vertically aligned above the bearingsleeve 20. An annularly corrugated boot 94 is secured to the flange 70by a clamp ring 96 along its outer edge, and its inner annular edge issecured against a shoulder 98 on the collar 46 by a clamp nut 100.

' Within the column 24 there is positioned a bevel gear 102 rotatablymounted upon an inclined stub shaft 104 carried in a boss 106 of thewall of the column 24. The boss extends inwardly to meet the hub of thebevel gear, both having aligned cylindrical surfaces over which ispositioned a helical coil spring overrunning clutch 111 sometimesreferred to as the L. G. S. type. Such bevel gear 182 meshes with apinion 108 keyed to the upper end of the shaft 36. Axial movement of thebevel gear upon the stub shaft 104 is prevented by a washer 110 and lockring 112. The bevel gear has eccentrically'mounted therein a crank pin114, such crank pin being freely rotatable with respect to the bevelgear. The crank pin has an offset 116 and a clevis 118 connecting with adriven shaft 120 projecting upwardly through the collar 46 and themember 58 into the tub 64. The shaft 120 has slidably mounted thereon asleeve 122 having a spherical outer surface 124. The spherical surfaceof the sleeve is clamped between opposed symmetrical ring halves 126 and128, such ring halves having spherical inner surfaces 130 and 132forming a bearing engagement with the spherical surface 124 of thesleeve 122. The ring halves 126 and 128 are clamped together around thesleeve 124 and between shoulders 134 and 136 of the upper end of thecolumn 24 and the member 58, respectively, the column having an annularbore 138 adapted to snugly receive the members 126 and 128. The columnmember 24, as previously referred to, has a sufficient cavitytherewithin to house the bevel gear 102 and the motion transmitted tothe shaft 120. The cover plate 26 is provided with a weight 27 whichwill be so proportioned as to balance the olf-center weight of the stubshaft 104 and the boss 196.

The upper end of the shaft 120 is provided with an agitator 140 having atruncated conical central section 142 and preferably a plurality ofspiral blades 144. The lower end of the conical member 142 is providedwith a depending skirt portion 146 to which is secured an annularlycorrugated bellows-like gasket 148, the inner edge 150 thereof beingclamped around the skirt 146 by a clamp ring 152. The gasket 148 at itsouter end may be inturned as at 154 and clamped to the bottom 62 of thetub 64 by a ring 156. The corrugations of the gasket 138 are preferablymaintained in shape by suitable metallic rings 158 positioned within theseveral corrugations. The tub 64 may have an outer wall 169 taperedsufflciently so that water may be lifted upwardly and be thrown outthrough overflow apertures 162 when the tub is rotated at centrifugingspeed. The tub bottom 16 may have an outlet 164 which, as desired, maybe continuously open to drain or empty into a pump before continuousdrain. Water may be admitted to the tub by a nozzle 166, the flow ofwater to the tub being con trolled by a valve 168.

The lower end of the column immediately above the thrust bearing isprovided with a cylindrical braking surface 170. An annular braking ring172 having a friction lining surrounds such braking surface and isprovided with resiliency whereby to effect a desired degree offrictional engagement up n the rotating column. I

The ring is provided with a radially extending arm 176, which armprojects into the path of a plunger 178, the plunger being slidinglymounted in a U-bent member 180 mounted on the frame construction 18. Aspring 182 bearing against the end 184 of the U-member 189 engages aring 186 affixed to the plunger, so as to normally urge the plunger tothe position shown and in the path of the arm 176. A solenoid 188 isadapted to retract the plunger 178 out of the path of the arm 176,whereby to allow the brake ring 172 to rotate freely with the column 24.

With the column 24 held stationary by the friction band 172 and theplunger 178, rotation of the shaft 36 rotates the bevel gear 108, thelatter in turn effecting an up and down and elliptical motion to theupper end of the shaft 120. Rotation of the bevel gear during agitationis such as to overrun clutch 111. The bellows gasket 148 thus, throughthe elliptical and up and down movement of the agitator 140, is causedto distend and collapse to the position shown with each cycle ofoperation. The belt drive 44 with the pulleys 42 and 33 and the motorspeed and bevel and pinion gear ratios, are so chosen as to give a rapidmotion to the agitator 140 to provide washing agitation to the washwater contained Within the tub 64. The spiral blades 144 tend to swirlthe water and provide a roll-over action as well as an annular flow ofthe Wash fluid, such action providing continuous interchange of positionof laundry suspended within the wash fluid.

After a period of washing has been completed, the solenoid 188 isenergized, the plunger 173 withdrawn, whereby the column 24 is free torotate. The motor is then reversed. With reverse rotation of the motor,the bevel gear is locked by the overrunning clutch 111, forcing thecolumn and mechanism to rotate as a unit. When rotation commences, theagitator movement stops, and the wash water within the tub rises alongthe outer edge of the tub,'and is caused to overflow through the ports162; and as speed further increases, the overflow continues untilsufiicient speed is reached to cause all water Within the tub 64 to flowupward along the inclined wall 160 out the overflow 162. After a periodof centrifugal extraction sufiicient to squeeze the water centrifugallyfrom the laundry held against the wall 160, power is shut 011 4 from themotor 40, and the tub allowed to reduce speed until it comes to rest.

Should it be desired to decelerate at a rapid rate, the solenoid may bede-energized, causing the plunger 178 to engage the arm 176, whereby thefriction ring 172 will be stopped, rendering the friction lining 174effective to gradually brake rotation of the column member 24. If arinsing operation is desired, rinse water may be introduced into the tubin sutficient quantity and agiration may be effected as before for ashort period by braking the column 24 against rotation. Thereafter, therinse water may be expelled in the same manner as the wash water,following which the clothes may be centrifuged for a period to remove asmuch water as may be centrifugally extracted therefrom.

If desired, during the initial extraction of the wash fluid or followingremoval of substantial quantities of wash fluid, rinse Water may besprayed against the laundry contained within the tub for a period so asto provide a centrifugal rinse, after which such spray may bediscontinued and the tub 64 allowed to spin for a sufficient period tocentrifuge the laundry sufficiently dry.

It will be appreciated that the stages of operation described may becontrolled by any suitable timer mechanism, as will be well understoodin the art, so that the sequence of operations, including the initialinlet of water into the tub, will be effected in a completepreestablished wash cycle.

While the bevel gear 102 has been shown as mounted on an axis inclinedfrom the horizontal by about 20, it will be appreciated that such axismay be inclined to a greater or lesser amount, depending upon the extentof horizontal elliptical motion desired for the agitator 140. It will beobserved that the column 24 has considerable weight which, when added tothe weight of the wash tub, will tend to reduce the radius between theaxial center of the column and the effective center of gravity of themass including any unbalanced distribution of laundry within the tub.Thus, any vibration caused by unbalance of laundry within the tub willtend to be minimized. Further, the column comprises in effect aninverted pendulum universally journaled at its lower end and free tomove about its upper end, so that upon the speed of rotation exceedingthe critical speed, the column, tub and laundry may rotate about itscenter of gravity. The member 74, with the friction surfaces 76 engagingthe tub bottom 16 in combination with the coil springs 92, will tend todamp any severe vibration as the speed of rotation is increased belowthe critical, and yet permit such freedom of movement as is necessaryfor the rotating assembly to rotate about its center of gravity duringrotation above the critical without transmitting any substantialvibration forces to the frame structure as a Whole.

Although the overruning clutch is shown, it will be appreciated thatsuch clutch can be eliminated, if desired, and the bevel gear allowed torotate freely in either direction. If desired, a single direction motormay be employed, and by the reaction of the movement of the agitator,the tub will gradually accelerate, throwing the wash water outcentrifugally. In such case, the inertia of crank 116, when laterallydisposed, will act to stop rotation of the bevel gear as speedincreases.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedthereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will beapparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to theappended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a drive shaftjournaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof, and projectingbeyond the lower end of the column,- gearing within the column driven bysaid drive shaft, means to prevent relative rotation in one directionbetween said gearing and column, a driven shaft and agitator meansmounted in the upper end of said column and drivably connected with saidgearing, a flexible seal extending between and secured to saidlast-named means and wash tub, a frame having a universally mountedresilient support journal for said column at its lower end, meansassociated with said column and frame for braking the rotation of saidcolumn during agitation, and a reversible motor for driving saidgearing.

2. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, said column forminga housing, a wash tub mounted on the upper end thereof, and rotatablewith the column, a drive shaft journaled in the lower end of the columnaxially thereof, and projecting beyond the lower end of the column,gearing within the column driven by said drive shaft, a reversible drivemotor for said shaft, a driven shaft and agitator means mounted in theupper end of said column, and drivably connected with said gearing, aone way clutch for preventing rotation in one direction of said gearingrelative to said housing, a flexible seal extending between and securedto said last-named means and wash tub, a frame having a universally resilient support journal for said column at its lower end, releasablemeans associated with said column and frame for braking the rotation ofsaid column, a stationary tub mounted on said frame and surrounding saidWash tub, and having a bottom with a central opening surrounding theupper end of said column in spaced relation, resilient means forcentering said column with respect to said opening comprising a collarjournaled on the upper end of said column, and a flexible annular sealbetween said collar and stationary tub bottom.

3; In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a drive shaftjournaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof, and projectingbeyond the lower end of the column, gearing within the column driven bysaid drive shaft, a reversible drive motor for said shaft, a drivenshaft and agitator means mounted in the upper end of said column, anddrivably connected with said gearing, a one way clutch for preventingrotation in one direction of said gearing relative to said housing, aflexible seal extending between and secured to said last-named means andwash tub, a frame having a universally resilient support journal forsaid column at its lower end, releasable means associated with saidcolumn and frame for braking the rotation of said column, a stationarytub mounted on said base and surrounding said wash tub, and having abottom with a central opening surrounding the upper end of said columnin spaced relation, resilient means for centering said column withrespect to said opening comprising a collar journaled on the upper endof said column, a flexible annular seal be tween said collar andstationary tub bottom, said tub bottom having a substantially sphericalsurface centered about said support journal, and an annular platemounted on said collar and having frictional engagement with saidspherical surface.

4. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a drive shaftjournaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof, and projectingbeyond the lower end of the column, gearing within the column driven bysaid drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator means mounted in the upperend of said column and drivably connected with said gearing, saidgearing comprising a pinion on said drive shaft, and a bevel gearjournaled on an axis extending generally crosswise of the column axis,means for preventing rotation of said gearing in one direction relativeto said housing, means for reciprocating said driven shaft, a slidg ingguide for said driven shaft mounted within the upper end of said column,a flexible seal extending between and secured to said agitator means andwash tub, a frame having a universally resilient support journal forsaid column at its lower end, and releasable means associated with saidcolumn and frame for braking the rotation of said column.

5. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotat able with the column, a drive shaftjournaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof, and projectingbeyond the lower end of the column, gearing within the column driven bysaid drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator means mounted in the upperend of said column and drivably connected with said gearing, saidgearing comprising a pinion on said drive shaft, and a bevel gearjournaled on an axis extending generally crosswise of the column axis,means for reciprocating said driven shaft, a sliding guide for saiddriven shaft mounted within the upper end of said column, a flexibleseal extending between and secured to said last-named means and washtub, a frame having a universally resilient support journal for saidcolumn at its lower end, releasable means associated with said columnand frame for braking the rota-v tion of said column, means forrestricting rotation of said bevel gear to one direction, a stationarytub mounted on said base and surrounding said wash tub and having abottom with a central opening surrounding the upper end of said columnin spaced relation, resilient means for centering said column withrespect to said opening comprising a collar journaled on the upper endof said column, and a flexible annular seal between said collar andstationary tub bottom.

6. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a drive shaftjournaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof, and projectingbeyond the lower end of the column, gearing within the column driven bysaid drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator means mounted in the upperend of said column and drivably connected with said gearing, saidgearingcomprising a pinion on said drive shaft, and a bevel gear journaled onan axis extending generally crosswise of the column axis, means forreciprocating said driven shaft, a sliding guide for said driven shaftmounted within the upper end of said column, a flexible seal extendingbetween and secured to said last-named means and wash tub, a framehaving a universally resilient support journal for said column at itslower end, releasable means associated with said column and frame forbraking the rotation of said column, means for restricting rotation ofsaid bevel gear to one direction, a stationary tub mounted on said baseand surrounding said wash tub and having a bottom with a central openingsurrounding the upper end of said column in spaced relation, resilientmeans for centering said column with respect to said opening comprisinga collar journaled on the upper end of said column, a flexible annularseal between said collar and stationary tub bottom, said tub bottomhaving a substantially spherical surface centered about said supportjournal, and an annular plate mounted on said collar and havingfrictional engagement with said spherical surface.

7. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a reversibledrive shaft journaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof,and projecting beyond the lower end of the column, gearing within thecolumn driven by said drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator meansmounted in the upper end of said column and drivably connected with saidgearing, said gearing comprising a pinion on said drive shaft, and abevel gear journaled on an axis extending generally transverse of thecolumn axis, and means to restrict rotation of said bevel gear to onedirection, crank'means on'said bevel gear coupled to said driven shaftfor reciprocating said driven shaft, a sliding universal guide for saiddriven shaft mounted within the upper end of said column, a flexibleseal extending between and secured to said lastnamed means and wash tub,a frame having a universally resilient support-journal for said columnat its lower end, and releasable means associated with said column andframe for braking the rotation of said column.

8. In a lashing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a reversibledrive shaft jeurnaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof,and projecting beyond the lower end of the column, gearing within thecolumn driven by said drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator meansmounted in the upper end of said column and drivably connected with saidgear-in" said gearing comprising a pinion on said drive shaft, and abevel gear iournaled on an axis extending generally transverse of thecolumn axis, and means to restrict rotation of said bevel gear to onedirection, crank means on said bevel gear coupled to said driven shaftfor reciprocating said driven shaft, and a sliding universal guide forsaid driven shaft mounted within the upper end of said column, aflexible seal extending between and secured to said last-named means andwash tub, a frame having a universally resilient support journal forsaid column at its lower end, releasable means associated with saidcolumn and frame for braking the rotation of said column, a stationarytub mounted on said base and surrounding said wash tub, and having abottom with a central opening surrounding the upper end of said columnin spaced relation, resilient means for centering said column withrespect to said opening comprising a collar journaled on the upper endof said column, and a flexible annular seal between said collar andstationary tub bottom.

9. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a Wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a reversibledrive shaft journaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof,and projecting beyond the lower end of the column, gearing within thecolumn driven by said drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator meansmounted in the upper end of said column and drivably connected with saidgearing, said gearing comprising a pinion on said drive shaft, and abevel gear journaled on an axis extending generally transverse of thecolumn axis, and means to restrict rotation of said bevel gear to onedirection, crank means on said bevel gear coupled to said driven shaftfor reciprocating said driven shaft, a sliding universal guide for saiddriven shaft mounted within the upper end of said column, a flexibleseal extending between and secured to said last-named means and Washtub, a frame having a universallyrresilient support journal for saidcolumn at its lower end, releasable means associated with said columnand frame for braking the rotation of said column, a stationarytubmounted on said base and surrounding said wash tub, and having abottom with a central opening surrounding the upper end of said columnin spaced relation, resilient means for centering said column withrespect to said opening comprising a collar journaled on the upper endof said column, a flexible annular seal between said collar andstationary tub bottom, said tub bottom having a substantially sphericalsurface centered about said support journal, and an annular platemounted on said collar and having frictional engagement with saidspherical surface.

10. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a reversibledrive shaft journaled in the lower end of the column axially thereof,and projecting beyond the lower end of the column, gearing within thecolumn driven by said drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator meansmounted in the upper end of said column and drivably connected with saidgearing, said gearing comprising a pinion on said drive shaft, and abevel gear journaled on an inclined axis extending crosswise of thecolumn axis, andrneans torestriet rotation of) said bevel gear to onedirection; crank means on said bevel gear coupled to said driven shaftfor reciprocating said driven shaft, a sliding universal guide for saiddriven shaft mounted within the upper end of said column, a flexibleseal extending between and secured to said lastnamed means and wash tub,a frame having a universally resilient support journal for said columnat its lower end, and releasable means associated with said column andframe for breaking the rotation of said column.

ll. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and rotatable with the column, a reversibledrive shaft jourualed in the lower end of the column axially thereof,and projecting beyond the lower end of the column, gearing within thecolumn driven by said drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator meansmounted; in the upper and of said colurnn and drivably connected withsaid gearing, said gearing comprising a pinion on said drive shaft, anda bevel gear journaled on an inclined axis extending crosswise of thecolumn axis and means to restrict rotation of said bevel gear to onedirection, crank means on said bevel gear coupled to said driven shaftfor reciprocating said driven shaft, and a sliding universal guide forsaid driven shaft mounted within the upper end of said column, aflexible seal extending between and secured to said last-named team andwash tub, a frame having a universally rcsilient support journal forsaid column at its lower end, releasable means associated with saidcolumn and frame for braking the rotation of said column, a stationarytub mounted on said base and surrounding said wash tub, and having abottom with a central opening surrounding the upper end of said columnin spaced relation, resilient mean for centering said column withrespect to said opening comprising a collar journaled on the upper endof said column, and a flexible annular seal between said collar andstationary tub botom.

12. In a washing machine, a rotatable hollow column, a wash tub mountedon the upper end thereof, and retatable with the column, a reversibledrive shaft journalled in the lower end of the column axially thereof,and projecting beyond the lower end of the column, gearing within thecolumn driven by said drive shaft, a driven shaft and agitator meansmounted in the upper end of said column and drivably connected with saidgearing, said gearing comprising a pinion on said drive shaft, and abevel gear journaled on an inclined axis extending crosswise of thecolumn axis and means to restrict rotation of said bevel gear to one,direction, crank means on said bevel gear coupled to said driven shaftfor reciprocating said driven shaft, and a sliding universal guide forsaid driven shaft mounted within the upper end of said column, aflexible seal extending between and secured to said last-named means andwash tub, a frame having a universally resilient support journal forsaid column at its lower end, releasable means associated with said column and frame for brakingthe rotation of said column, a stationary tubmounted on said base and surrounding said wash tub, and having a bottomwith a central opening surrounding the upper end of said column inspaced relation, resilient means for centering said column with respectto said opening comprising a collar journaled on the upper end of saidcolumn, a flexible annular seal between said collar and stationary tubbottom, said tub bottom having a substantially spherical surfacecentered about said support journal, and an annular plate mounted onsaid collar and having frictional engagement with said sphericalsurface.

13. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitator centrally disposed withinsaid tub, said tub and agitator being adapted to define a toroidal ringof Wash water, thin substantially uniformly thick spiral blades on saidagitator, andrneans for movingsaid agitator in, an inclined ellipticalpath, the major axis of which extends substantially 9 in a verticaldirection, said means comprising a crank mounted below the agitator onan axis inclined from the horizontal, a connecting rod extending fromthe crank to the agitator in a generally vertical direction, and a guidesleeve for said connecting rod disposed above said crank, and beneathsaid agitator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSMolinare Dec. 20, 1938 Dyer Mar. 16, 1943 Clark Jan. 2, 1945 Rhode Aug.29, 1950 Sisson Jan. 1, 1952 Kirby Oct. 21, 1952 Smith et a1. July 14,1953 Fields July 14, 1953

